How to Make Woodwork Look Antique
Do you like the look of antique woodwork? According to an article by Al and Kelly Carrell, you can get that same look on your new woodwork projects without buying an antique. You can make a new piece look like an antique by putting imperfections onto it, making the finish look old, simulating several layers of old paint jobs, and using old hardware.
Putting dings, chips, and wormholes into the wood can make it look like an antique. These imperfections and signs of age are expected on antique furniture and woodwork. You can put them on by using a hammer, awl, file, and rasp to put small marks and wormholes on the surface and to file down corner edges.
The wood finish can also be given an aged look by rubbing some off of the edges when applying it. Then, more can be driven into crevices to give the wood a more worn look.
There are several ways to make the piece look like it has been painted more than once over the years. One is to give it one coat of paint and then rub petroleum jelly onto different parts of it. Then, when a second, different color of paint is applied, it will not stick to the petroleum jelly and the original paint will show through. Another is to put two different colors of paint on and then simply sand or rub off the second coat in places to expose the first coat. A final technique is to give the piece one coat of paint and then put a “crackle” finish on it. This can be found at craft stores. When a layer of paint is applied over the crackle finish, it will crack in places and show the old layer of paint underneath.
When you make a faux antique, you want to use old hardware. This can be found at salvage shops or flea markets.
By using these simulated aging techniques you can create a faux wood antique. It is an easy woodworking project that may fool your friends.
